Actions

Work Header

Rating:
Archive Warning:
Categories:
Fandom:
Relationships:
Characters:
Additional Tags:
Language:
English
Series:
Part 33 of Post-Trial to Second Trial AU
Stats:
Published:
2025-11-18
Words:
2,682
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
29
Kudos:
18
Bookmarks:
3
Hits:
593

Second Trial Aftermath: Karmic Punishment: Farm Life

Summary:

While banished in Wrath on a pig farm for the next 150 years, Andrealphus reflects on how things went so wrong...and why he'd actually do it all again for the one person he still gave a shit about.

Notes:

Sorry it took a bit to get to this one and writing again in general. Life stuff and stress has been overwhelming but I'm going to slowly work my way into this again. I wanna take care of myself first and foremost since I've been neglecting myself lately. It might take some time but I'll get back into the groove of things eventually.

With that out of the way, I figured Andrealphus would have a lot to reflect on since he lost not only his powers and status but his relationship with Vassago and Octavia. I think even before things went more south with Stolas's and Stella's marriage, Andrealphus would have tried to convince Vassago to stake a claim on the Grimoire since he's the eldest of Paimon's children (in my AUs) because he felt they could rule together. But Vassago could see through that quite quickly since he can look into the future and he could see Andrealphus going down a dark path he was too stubborn to leave.

Stella of course hates working the farm life but Andrealphus being there is making it more bareable for her. And as much as she hates most demons, Andrealphus is someone she actually likes so him saving her from getting executing and making mistakes that would have gotten her in trouble would mean a little something to her. I don't think she liked being a mother but taking it out on Stolas and Octavia wasn't fair to them.

Oh and having Satan's guards stationed at the farm shows they are always watching and listening. Not that Stella and Andrealphus can do much but better to have some precautions.

Work Text:

“FUCK!” Stella screamed as she and Andrealphus were pushed through the portal to Wrath, landing in manure.

“Did he do that on purpose?!” Andrealphus questioned, having a sinking feeling the answer was yes.

She tried to make a run for it but she barely reached it when it closed, the last thing she saw being the King of Hell waving at her. It took a few moments for reality to really process in her privileged brain that this wasn’t a dream. She was stuck in this dusty wasteland with these tacky clothes forced to do hard labor for the next 150 years?!

This was her worst nightmare come true!

“This isn’t FAIR!” she screeched, stomping her feet as she began to pace around in a rage. “We were SO close to getting the treasures of that moron Paimon! We would’ve been set for the rest of our eternity!” She then turned to her brother, scowling at him. “If YOU had just let my assassin kill him off, we wouldn’t be in this bloody mess!”

Any empathy he had for his sister was gone in that moment as Andrealphus stood up, not caring he was in hick clothes. “In case you forgot, dear sister, all of Stolas’s riches and other magic bullshit would’ve gone to Octavia!” Andrealphus retorted. “And it wouldn’t have taken a fucking genius to figure out it was you! You hated the bastard!”

“At least he would’ve been dead!” Stella scoffed, crossing her arms. “That would’ve been enough for me! YOU made it complicated!”

As much as he would’ve liked to have thrown a snowball in her face, he wasn’t able to so he took some calming breaths to cool his nerves. Someone had to be the grown-ass adult in this situation and of the two of them, it would need to be the former maquis.

“Stella, regardless of whose fault this was–” he started.

“Yours.”

His eye twitched before letting out a controlled sigh. “We will need to just make the best of it. 150 years will pass and we’ll be back to our usual wealthy living in no time,” he went on. “And perhaps, if we actually put in an effort working on this farm, we could get released from this punishment for good behavior.”

Stella let out a huff before glaring at the ground. “I hate when you’re right…”

The older peacock sibling patted his sister’s shoulder before looking around. “Well I suppose we should find this pig farm we are to be staying at,” he decided, pulling out a piece of paper from his pocket. “Looks like this is the address.”

“Well this dump better have a shower and a fucking bed,” Stella grumbled. “I refuse to sleep among the animals.”

(...)

It had taken them most of the night to find their new living quarters for the time being, even if it was annoying. But seeing Satan’s guards stationed outside of the old pig farm gave them a clue that, for now, this was their home. Lucifer and Satan left them explicit instructions they would need to follow while staying at this place.

  1. The both of them needed to actually work on the farm caring for the pigs (ie, feeding them, bathing them, cleaning their stalls.)
  2. The work day started early and ended late so they would need to make a schedule for who did what.
  3. For basic necessities, they would be paid just enough to go to town to actually shop for what they needed.
  4. Every month there would be someone to check in on their progress and see if they’ve actually reflected on their actions.
  5. Satan’s guards would be stationed and accompany them to town to keep an eye on them for their own safety as well as the demons living in town.
  6. Sundays were their day off to rest and do as they wished. Lucifer was harsh but not heartless.

The farm was…quaint to put it nicely. On the land there were the living quarters, a barn where the pigs were housed with a pen to let them run around and eat, and a silo where their food was stored. There was also a path that took two miles to get to town which was 3-4 hours on foot or 30 minutes driving. There was a truck they could use for large purchases in town but they would need to learn how to drive it.

Since Andrealphus didn’t trust Stella to not run over anyone that annoyed her, he decided to take on driving duties.

Thankfully the farmhouse had two separate rooms for them to sleep in but only one shower which annoyed Stella to no end. The idea of sharing with her brother again was a pain in the arse. The first thing she wanted to spend her pay on was a decent set of shampoo and conditioner. She might have to live like a commoner but she didn’t want to have to smell like one.

She already claimed first dibs on morning and evening showers.

Andrealphus, being more practical than his sister, was trying to figure out what would keep Stella from whining the most. Asking her to actually clean anything was out so he figured feeding the pigs their slop would be the least strenuous for her. Not that he actually wanted to clean the filthy animals but he’d rather not fight with Stella about chores this early on. They had more than enough time to waste on petty squabbles like that.

Their first day was spent getting used to their new home, Stella snarking about everything the place had to offer while Andrealphus was trying to make the best of it. Of the two bedrooms, Stella picked the largest one closest to the bathroom. That was fine by Andrealphus since he wanted to have some privacy away from her. He waited until Stella had gone in to take a shower before shutting the door behind him, letting the weight of everything hit him. The former peacock flopped on the bed, not caring if he was undignified at that moment. He lost everything that had mattered to him so what was even the point? 

“Fuck…” he muttered, turning on his back as he stared up at the dingy wooden ceiling. His fists clenched as he hit the uncomfortable bed with each yell. “FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK!” he screamed, covering his face with a pillow.

It didn’t accomplish anything but it made him feel a little better.

“I am a bloody marquis! I don’t give a damn what that tiny twit says! I will earn my way back!” he ranted, tossing the pillow at the door as he sat up, running a hand through his dull feathers. “Do they really think they can just send me here without consequence?! They’ll see! They need me! The Goetia needs me! My family line needs me! And Va–!"

He stopped himself, the image of his former parrot lover flashing through his mind. While they had parted ways romantically a long time ago, a part of him couldn’t help but think…what if things had turned out differently? Vassago was no fool, as much as he hated to admit that out loud, but his moral compass was something to be desired. Wanting to “follow regulation” and “keep balance” and all that nonsense.

He had no real ambition…

{FLASHBACK}

“Excuse me, you want me to do what?” Vassago questioned.

“Contest the placement of the Grimoire,” Andrealphus told him, annoyed he had to repeat himself. “You’re the eldest brother. It should have gone to you in the first place.”

Vassago rubbed his temples as he gave his partner a tired stare. “It is not up to me,” he retorted firmly. “My father already tested the Grimoire with each of us. Stolas is the only one meant to have it. I won’t take it from him.”

Andrealphus took his hand, almost giving him a pleading stare. “Aren’t you sick of being only another prince? Of being just a glorified metal detector?” he pressed, squeezing it slightly. “We could be so much more. Just think about it.”

“We? What do you mean we?” Vassago questioned, pulling his hand free. “I am in the role I am meant to be in.” He then placed a hand on the icy peacock’s cheek. “Please understand, Andre. I am not saying this to be cruel. I am saying this as a means to protect you.”

“I am a grown demon. I can protect myself,” Andre scoffed, blinking when Vassago took his hands in his own.

“No. You don’t get it. If you continue down this path, you will lose everything,” the shorter parrot begged. “I don’t want that for you.”

Andrealphus pulled away, turning from him with a glare. “You foolish parrot. You always look so far into the future that you can’t see the opportunities right in front of you,” he muttered, his voice low. “We can change the stream of fate for our own futures. We can become so much more than what the Goetia assigned us to be.”

Vassago’s eyebrows shot up before he gave his boyfriend a suspicious look. “Why do you think I can do that? Why not work with your own position to get what you want?” At Andrealphus’s silence, Vassago came to a terrible realization. “Are you only with me to gain more power?”

“N-No! Of course not!” Andre tried. “You are a very attractive and spirited demon prince. I am lucky to have you be a part of my life. This would benefit the both of us! I’m thinking about you too!”

“No you’re only thinking about yourself,” the parrot told him coldly, stepping back. “I am sorry but I won’t be a part of your plan. And if you can’t understand why–”

“Please don’t say that,” the taller demon begged. “We can make this work if you’ll just trust me–”

“Trust you?! You’re suggesting something that could put everything we know and hold dear into jeopardy!” Vassago retorted. “I’m not just worrying for the sake of worrying! I’m trying to look out for you!” He then let out a heavy sigh. “But I don’t see a future right now with us if you cannot understand that.”

Andrealphus stood in utter shock, ice spreading around him. “So…that’s it? You’re the one ending things between us?” he whispered.

Vassago blinked back his tears, looking him in the eye. “If you continue down this selfish path…then yes. I am,” he replied, trying not to let his voice shake. “Lo siento, mi amor. I hope you come to your senses one day…”

Andrealphus could only stare as Vassago disappeared in a starry portal. The one demon that understood him…that was like him…that he could actually stand…was gone. He willed himself not to break down, knowing he was better than that. He would prove him wrong…prove them ALL wrong. A marquis of a caliber like himself could do so much more than that plant-obsessed moron Stolas.

All he needed was the right opportunity.

{...}

That opportunity did eventually come to pass…and blew right the fuck up in his face.

With Stella’s impulsiveness, that Striker fellow cracking under pressure, Stolas being a fucking martyr, and that imp brat’s tendency to not know when to quit along with his stupid friends backing him up. Common demons backing him up were one thing but three of the Sins–one being Lucifer himself–and three high ranking Goetia buying into that bullshit?

Were things just going crazy?!

Now all he had to show for his efforts to try and save his sister’s arse were no powers, being banished for 150 years, and the humiliation he’d be a rank lower when this punishment was over.

“Shit…” he cursed, standing up to get ready to take his shower.

(...)

The next few days were…quite a chore to get used to. Being woken up at the crack of dawn by loud hell-roosters, having to scarf down oatmeal so they could get started on their chores, actually doing the bloody chores, and worst of all; taking care of the pigs.

Stella let out groans as she dragged the pig feed from the silo, barely able to care about actually getting it inside the troughs. In the mornings it was dry food and in the evenings it was wet food, the latter annoying her more because it smelled so bad. Andrealphus had to be the one to actually wake them up to get them moving in the farm’s outdoor pen so they could get some exercise and so he could clean out their beds. He learned very quickly to breathe through his mouth so he wouldn’t throw up from the stink.

Though he came very close a few times.

Stella nearly threw a fit and wanted to fight one of the pigs that got mud on her overalls. It wasn’t like she actually liked those ugly things but it was the principle of the thing. They were HER clothes and she didn’t like anyone or anything getting them filthy. Andrealphus had to pull her away from the fence since, while they seemed lazy, hell-pigs could be very dangerous if you pressed their buttons.

Though he was tempted to kick one when one defecated on his work boots. The smell was DREADFUL!

One night after the pigs were put back in the barn for the night, Stella was practically dead on her feet as she found her brother staring up at the dark orange sky. “Why are you out here?” she questioned, gesturing to the house. “Wouldn’t you prefer to take a shower?”

“You claimed first dibs on morning and evening showers, remember?” He flatly reminded her.

Stella was surprised at his snarkiness before crossing her arms. “Well it’s the least you could do after this whole mess started because–”

“Because I actually wanted to save your life, you moron,” Andrealphus finished, giving her a stern look. “Despite how absolutely frustrating you are to live with again and your constant mistakes with that whole Stolas nonsense…I actually would care if something happened to you.”

“Well you’re the only one,” Stella told him in a surprisingly calm voice, sitting next to him on the fence. “Stolas and I despised each other and Octavia and I…never saw eye-to-eye. Not that I gave a shit…but she seemed to like you.”

“It was easier to be more influential on the child when she was smaller…” the icy peacock whispered, waving his hands around a bit. “Creating snow and ice sculptures for her when you were bickering with Stolas. I…didn’t hate it.”

“Then she had to go and grow up, making things more complicated,” the younger peahen woman added. “I didn’t want this either…being a mother is not something I wanted so letting Stol-ass handle that shit was fine in my book. But if I could mold her, perhaps I could’ve actually felt…something.”

“You never felt anything for her?” Andrealphus asked, genuineness in his voice.

“Well…when I was ill for a time after I laid her egg and Stolas cared for me, I suppose in my weakest state I felt…concern for the egg,” Stella admitted, hating actually showing weakness. “But I just wanted to get back to the lap of luxury I’ve grown accustomed to since my duties were done. They wanted an heir and I gave them one so that was that.”

She then looked up at her brother, for once not wanting to yell.

“We…haven’t really talked like this since we were little brats, have we,” Stella commented quietly.

The older brother turned to his little sister, his guard down. “Well my duties kept me busy and you tormenting your husband and gossiping with those friends of yours kept you occupied…but talking with you isn’t so bad…” he told her.

“If I am going to be stuck in this shitty shithole…you aren’t the worst person I could spend the next 150 years with,” she muttered, leaning against him.

“The feeling is mutual.”

[END]

Series this work belongs to: